To make the self-assembling containers, (researcher David) Gracias and his colleagues begin with some of the same techniques used to make microelectronic circuits: thin film deposition, photolithography and electrodeposition.

Not the spark from an induction coil or Leyden jar, but a strong and steady current at a low pressure, is adapted for electrolysis or electrodeposition, and hence the voltaic battery or a special form of dynamo is usually employed in this work.

By electrodeposition of crystalline nanoparticles onto a conducting substrate (for example a PTFE enhanced carbon fiber ultrahydrophobic sheet) for the first-time, it becomes possible to selectively create platinum-nanoparticles of the size of about 2 nm onto the bumps of the substrate without agglomeration.

Previous approaches to use this compound -- which is one of the leading photovoltaic alternatives to silicon-based solar energy devices -- have depended on methods such as sputtering, evaporation, and electrodeposition.

Also they should have skills in biopolymers or metals, such as: double/single emulsion, nanoparticles, chemical synthesis of biomaterials, electrodeposition/electroporation, microfluidics, microfabrication/photolithography,